Rotary tooth-brush.



PATENTED SEPT. 24, 1907.

O.l C. LILLIE., ROTARY TOOTH BRUSH-f APPLIUATION FILED H1B. lof 1,906.

UNITED sTnrEs A PATENT oEEIoE. 1

OBVILLE C. LILLIE, OF CONNEAUT, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,O1 THREE- TENTHS TO GEORGE M. WHITNEY, OF CONNEAUT, OHIO.

ROTARY TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1907.

f Application nea February 10,1906. .serai st soasrs.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORVILLE C. L1LL1E,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Conneaut, county of Ashtabula, and State" of Ohio,` have invented a new and useful `Improvement in Rotary Tooth-Brushes, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the inventionA being herein lexplained and the best 'mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to improvements in tooth brushes of the rotary type and particularly to brushs of this character in which the rotation of the brush i` effected by the employment of a reciprocatory member engaging with a screw-threaded spindle, particular attention being devoted to the use of fixed finger pieces diposed well forward on the handle so that the latter will be effectively steadied and the surface well brushed over which the brush is used.

-Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing: Figure l represents a side elevation of my improved rotary tooth brush; and Fig. 2 represents a central longitudinal section of the same taken on a plane at right angles to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 1. I

As is readily apparent from an inspection of these two figures, my brush comprises 'as abase member a v tubular handle A.. This handle is provided with two ing shoulder b registering therewith. The other end,

of spindle B is journaled lin an adjustable end-bearing formed by a set screw a2 centrally mounted in cap A2 and adapted to be locked against rotation by a second set screw a3. The portion of spindle B intermediate 0f the ends of the handle is formed with a screw thready b2 preferably of the form shown.

Fitted within handle A so as to be freely movable longitudinally thereof is a block or nut C engaging the threaded portion of spindle B. Nut C is normally retained in the rear end of the handle by a helical spring C disposed as shown between it and the cap. A that ldisposed on opposite sides of set-screw a2.

closes the other end of the handle. Such nut C is adapted to be moved against spring C by means of actuating rods C2 mounted therein or otherwise attached thereto and slidably working in openings a2 in the cap A2, such rods and openings, where two in number, being The nut C may` obviously not only be reciprocated by means of such actuating rods, but is also held vby means of them against rotation within the handle, so that the effect of such reciprocation is rotation of the spindle B. A cap C3 mounted upon the other ends of nut-actuating rods C2 serves as a thumb-piece, whereby ,the tooth brush is adapted to be readily grasped in the hand, the thumb resting on such cap C3, while the first and second lingers respectively rest against vfinger-pieces a a at the forward end of the handle.

The forward end b of spindle B, that projects through the bearing in cap Afl, isprovided with a chuck B for holding the base or st'em of the rotary brush B2. Such chuck may be of any approved design,l the simple form shown, involvihg merely a plurality of jaws b3 threaded curately directed to, and steadily retained in, any desir'ed position in the mouth, since by virtue of the position of fixed finger-pieces well forward on the handle such handle is at all 'times firmly held. I would also call attention to the details of construction and particularly to set screw a2 which forms an adjustable endbearing for spindle B 'as has been pointed out; by the fewuess and simplicity of parts a light and easily manipulated device is produced, and by the adjustable feature noted provision is made for taking up wear in the only place where it can occur. At the same time all the mechanism of the brush, little thoughit be, is with a proper regard to sanitary conditions7 tightly inclosed within case A.

-Having thus-described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim is 1. In a tooth brush, the combination of a tubular handle provided with finger-pieces; caps closing the ends of said handle; a spindle, having a screw-thread, journaledA in one of said caps and having an adjustable end-bearing in the other thereof, one end of said spindle projecting 'without said first-named cap; a rotary brush mounted helical expansion spring interposed between said nut and said rstfnamed cap and normally retaining said nut against said last named cap; rods slidably mounted in such cap and attached at their inner ends to said nut; and a thumb-piece mounted on the outer end of said rods.

2. In a tooth brush, the combination of a tubular handie, provided yvith inger-pieces near its forward end; a cap, having an aperture forming a bearing, fitted to such forward end; another cap, having a set-screw centrally mounted therein and forming an adjustable end-bearing, tted to the rear end of such handle; a spindle, having a screw-thread, journaled in such bearings and projecting without said first-named cap at one end; a rotary lzsrush mounted upon such projecting spindle end; a nut longitudinally movable in said handle and engaging said spindie; a helical expansion spring normally retaining said nut against said last-named cap two rods slidably mounted in such cap and attached at their inner ends to said uut; and a thumb-piece mounted on the outer ends of said rods.

Signed by me, this 1st day of February 1906.

ORVILLE C. LLLIE. Attested by JNO. F. OmmLiN, G. W. SArWnLL. 

